Canada is falling behind for sustainable innovations in agri-food

Feb 07, 2024

To remain globally competitive with sustainable innovations in agri-food, both the public and private sectors in Canada must increase investment in the industry. That’s the conclusion of a new report, Sustainable Innovation in the Canadian Agri-food Sector: Past, Present & Future, by Dr. Jared Carlberg, University of Manitoba.

Unfortunately, studies reveal that both sectors’ support for agri-food innovation has declined in recent years with Canada’s support for agricultural innovation ranking seventh globally,at 0.046 per cent of GDP, which is considerably below historical averages. Private-sector investment has also declined, with Canada ranking 25th globally in 2014, down from 18th place in 2008.

As a world leader in building a sustainable, profitable and safe agri-food system, Canada can be a pre-eminent hub for innovation. However, senior levels of government must commit to developing Canada’s potential and to creating an environment that encourages private investment.

The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy at the School of Public Policy, with author Dr. Jared Carlberg, examines the interlinkages between innovation and sustainability in the Canadian agricultural sector with solid policy recommendations about sustainable agricultural innovation policy in Canada.

First, invest in Canadian agri-innovation at the rate of 0.10 per cent of GDP.

Second, stimulate private sector investment in innovation.

Third, enhance the protection of intellectual property rights.

For the report, Sustainable Innovation in the Canadian Agri-food Sector: Past, Present & Future, link here: www.policyschool.ca/publications/

Source : The Grower

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.